Song Joong-ki made a dashing appearance at his first official event since becoming a father. At the event, he expressed his desire to show his son the movie "Hopeless" (Korean title: Hwaran) when he grows up.
On the afternoon of the 22nd, a press preview of the movie "Hopeless" was held at Megabox COEX in Seoul. Leading actors Hong Sa-bin, Song Joong-ki, Kim Hyung-seo (Bibi), and director Kim Chang-hoon attended the event.
"Hopeless ," directed by Kim Chang-hoon and produced by Sanai Pictures, tells the story of a boy named Yeon-gyu (played by Hong Sa-bin) who, wishing to escape his hellish reality, meets a mid-level gang boss, Chi-geon (played by Song Joong-ki), and gets entangled in a perilous world. The film was officially invited to the "Directors' Fortnight" section of the 76th Cannes Film Festival last May, where it received rave reviews from the media and critics.
The film, featuring a fresh ensemble of actors including rising star Hong Sa-bin, Song Joong-ki, and Bibi, is garnering attention for its unpredictable plot and deep emotional resonance. It's a noir drama that captures the stories of characters navigating a seemingly hopeless world, brought to life with compelling drama and meticulous direction.
Director Kim Chang-hoon expressed his excitement about the film's participation in the Cannes Film Festival, saying, "It's been a dream since childhood to attend Cannes. Working with senior colleagues created a great environment for the film."
Song Joong-ki, known for his versatile acting in projects like "Vincenzo" and "The Youngest Son of a Chaebol Family," plays the role of Chi-geon, a mid-level gang boss who recognizes the pain in Yeon-gyu, a boy with a similar traumatic past, and reaches out to him. Song expressed his deep affection for the script, even offering to act without a guarantee fee.
Regarding his decision to forgo the fee, Song said, "I was worried that if the production costs increased due to my involvement, the unique charm of the script might be compromised."
Song also addressed rumors about his wife Katie's past pregnancy, saying, "Both my wife and I are first-time parents." This indirectly refuted rumors suggesting otherwise. He had previously emphasized that most rumors about his wife, except for her attending college, were baseless.
Hong Sa-bin plays Yeon-gyu, a boy who dreams of escaping with his mother to the Netherlands from his hellish reality. Bibi plays Hayan, Yeon-gyu's step-sister, who, despite her tough exterior, deeply cares for her brother.
Song Joong-ki praised his co-stars, saying, "Hong Sa-bin was very calm and solid in his role, even though it must have been a lot of pressure. And Bibi's acting is as lively as a live fish. Her talent as a singer also shines through in her acting."
"Hopeless" is set to be released on October 11.
